Vinifera varieties
Acolon
Colour: Red
Origin: Weinsberg, Germany
Crossing: Limberger x Dornfelder
Date of crossing: 1971
Planted area in Germany (2024): 422-ha
Year of registration: 2002
Planted area in GB (2024): 5.75-ha
Acolon is a German vinifera cross created in 1971 at Weinsberg from Blauer Limberger and Dornfelder, a variety with a strong pedigree. Released in 2000, it gained attention for producing deeply coloured red wines and for adding colour and higher sugars to Dornfelder blends, though with slightly lower yields. German plantings peaked at 461 hectares in 2018 but have since declined to 422 hectares as warmer conditions favour internationally recognised reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which offer stronger market appeal.
In the UK, Acolon arrived in 2009, with plantings reaching 7.45 hectares by 2015 before falling to 5.75 hectares. It is no longer seen as a strong option for quality red production as the improving climate has firmly positioned Pinot noir – supported by its heritage, consistency, and consumer demand – as the preferred choice. Alongside this, newer red PIWI varieties now offer better disease resistance and viticultural reliability, making them more attractive for growers seeking resilient and future-proof plantings.
Albariño
Colour: White
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in GB (2024): 4.47-ha
Albariño (Alvarinho in Portugal) is a key grape of north-west Iberia, widely used in both single-varietal wines and Vinho Verde blends. Its global popularity has risen in recent decades thanks to its crisp acidity, good length and Riesling-like character, making it ideal with fish and shellfish. Recognised for its freshness and food-friendly style, it has attracted growing international interest and is now cultivated in a range of wine regions beyond its traditional home.
In the UK, Albariño first appeared in 2013 and has reached 4.47 hectares by 2024. Early plantings at Sandhurst Vineyards demonstrated its potential, producing wines that have impressed even Spanish judges in blind tastings. Chapel Down now buys all their Albariño, supporting its development. The variety’s challenges include low yields, late ripening and naturally high acidity, but on warm, favourable sites it can reward patient growers. With climate improvement and rising consumer interest, Albariño remains a promising variety to watch in British viticulture.
Alzey 7672
Colour: White
Synonyms: Madeleine x Angevine 7672, Madeleine Angevine, Mad Angie
Origin: Alzey, Germany
Crossing: Madeleine Angevine x Riesling
Date of crossing: 1944-45
Planted area in GB (2024): 36.62-ha
Year of registration: Not known
Alzey 7672, long nicknamed “Mad Angie,” originated in Alzey, Germany, as a 1944–45 crossing of Madeleine Angevine and Riesling, although for decades it was mistakenly believed to be a freely pollinated Madeleine Angevine seedling. This confusion began when the variety arrived in Britain in the 1950s labelled only as “Sämling 7672.” DNA profiling in 2019 finally confirmed its true parentage, distinguishing it from the unrelated table grape Madeleine Angevine, which added years of mix-ups for growers and contributed to its inconsistent reputation.
Despite this, Alzey 7672 became popular among early British growers thanks to its reliability, early ripening, good yields and lightly muscat-toned wines. Plantings peaked at almost 69 hectares in the late 1990s before declining to 36.62 hectares today. While it remains useful on cooler, more marginal UK sites – where its low acidity is an advantage – its long-term future is uncertain as plantings of Pinot noir and Chardonnay dominate. For anyone considering it now, ensuring the correct source of budwood is essential.
Auxerrois
Synonym: Pinot Auxerrois
Colour: White
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany (2024): 310-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 7.25-ha
Auxerrois is an ancient white vinifera variety closely related to Chardonnay and Pinot blanc. Well known in Alsace – where it appears in Edelzwicker blends or sparkling wines – it is also grown in Germany, Luxembourg, Burgundy and several New World regions. Productive Geisenheim clones have supported over 300 hectares in Germany. Although Auxerrois was placed on Britain’s original list of recommended varieties in 1973, it was not widely planted at the time and never gained strong early momentum.
In the UK, Auxerrois offers moderate vigour, good wood ripening, steady yields and useful botrytis resistance. It ripens after Müller-Thurgau but before Seyval blanc and produces a neutral Pinot blanc – Chardonnay style wine with naturally lower acidity, making it suitable for cooler or more challenging sites, barrel ageing or sparkling bases. Despite these advantages, plantings have declined from 9 hectares in 2009 to 7.25 hectares in 2024, largely overshadowed by Chardonnay. Even so, it remains a variety worth trialling and one to watch for niche opportunities.
Bacchus
Colour: White
Origin: Geilweilerhof, Germany
Crossing: (Silvaner x Riesling) x Müller-Thurgau
Date of crossing: 1933
Planted area in Germany (2024): 1,515-ha
Year of registration: 1972
Planted area in GB (2024): 333.81-ha
Bacchus, bred in 1933 at Geilweilerhof by Peter Morio and Professor Husfeld, shares its parentage with Optima and was first registered in 1972. In Germany it became closely associated with aromatic, fruity Spätlese and Auslese styles and was once widely planted, peaking at over 3,400 hectares in 1995 before declining to about 1,515 hectares by 2024. Climate warming and shifting market preferences have pushed German growers toward more internationally recognised, food-friendly varieties such as Chardonnay and the Pinots. In contrast, Bacchus has found a more secure long-term role in Britain.
Introduced to the UK at Wye College in 1973 and officially recommended by 1998, Bacchus acreage has grown steadily from 76 hectares in 1990 to around 334 hectares in 2024. It is now regarded as one of Britain’s most reliable and commercially successful still white varieties, with a strong track record in major wine awards. In the vineyard it resembles Müller-Thurgau in habit, ripens readily in most sites, but is susceptible to botrytis and can carry high acidity in cooler years. In hot seasons, sunburn can be an issue, making early, well-managed leaf removal essential.
Stylistically, Bacchus in Britain spans two expressions: a lighter, Touraine-like style and a riper, Marlborough Sauvignon-inspired style with pronounced aromatics and greater weight. The latter, often with a touch of residual sugar, has proven especially successful commercially. With top examples retailing at £15–£20, Bacchus offers strong economic potential, supported by an approachable name, clear varietal identity, and consistent performance in British conditions.
Chardonnay
Colour: White
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany (2024): 3,050
Planted area in GB (2024): 1,498.28-ha
Once thought poorly suited to Britain, Chardonnay nonetheless tempted early growers due to its dominance in Burgundy and Champagne. Initial plantings from the 1950s through the early 1980s largely failed to ripen properly, producing grapes with extreme acidity and low sugars, and many vineyards eventually uprooted the variety. Progress began in the mid-1980s as a handful of sites, notably New Hall, demonstrated its potential for traditional-method sparkling wine. Improved site selection, greater technical understanding, and a gradual warming trend allowed Chardonnay to transition from experimental to economically and viticulturally credible.
From the early 2000s onward, Chardonnay’s rise has been dramatic. Plantings expanded from just 7 hectares in 1988 to nearly 1,500 hectares by 2024, making it Britain’s most widely planted grape. High acid levels at harvest remain typical, particularly for sparkling wines, but are now effectively managed through malolactic fermentation, extended lees ageing, blending, and dosage. Warm vintages increasingly deliver higher natural alcohols, unlocking new potential for still wine styles that rival cooler-climate Burgundy.
Viticulturally, Chardonnay presents both opportunity and risk. Early budburst heightens frost exposure, while susceptibility to downy mildew, powdery mildew, and botrytis demands diligent spray programs and open canopies. Simple Guyot pruning remains standard, with careful crop control essential for still wine quality. While Chardonnay is now indispensable for serious British vineyards, not all sites will ripen it reliably, and prolonged bottle ageing may challenge commercial sustainability.
Dornfelder
Colour: Red
Origin: Weinsberg, Germany
Crossing: Helfensteiner x Heroldrebe
Date of crossing: 1955
Planted area in Germany (2024): 6,507-ha
Year of registration: 1980
Planted area in GB (2024): 15.85-ha
Dornfelder, bred at Weinsberg in 1955 and released in 1980, was created to bring deeper colour and more substance to Germany’s traditionally lighter red varieties. A crossing of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe, it became Germany’s most widely planted neuzüchtung, peaking at over 8,000 hectares and still covering 6,507 hectares in 2024. Wines range from spicy, Rhône-style reds to lighter, higher-yielding examples, reflecting its generous cropping potential. Despite some quality examples, its prominence has slowly declined as growers favour more international varieties.
In Britain, Dornfelder arrived in the late 1980s and has produced acceptable reds and rosés, mostly in blends rather than as a standalone wine. It grows reliably and can yield well in warm years, but few UK producers view it as a long-term red wine solution. Plantings peaked at 20 hectares in 2015 and have since fallen, with growers increasingly preferring Pinot noir, Frühburgunder, Regent, Rondo and newer PIWI varieties for more consistent quality and market appeal. Dornfelder need not be uprooted, but new plantings are generally discouraged.
Frühburgunder, Blauer
Synonym: Pinot noir Précoce
Colour: Red
Origin: Old selection
Planted area in Germany (2024): 212-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 95.00-ha
Blauer Frühburgunder (Pinot noir Précoce) is an old, early-ripening mutation of Pinot noir that originated in Germany’s Ahr region in the 1800s and later became the signature red of Ingelheim am Rhein. Historically, old clones suffered from Leafroll virus and poor yields, but Geisenheim’s work has produced cleaner, more reliable material, with five clones now approved. Although German plantings have declined from 262 hectares in 2012 to 212 hectares in 2024, the variety remains valued for ripening up to two weeks earlier than Pinot noir and for achieving better sugars and colour on good sites.
In Britain it first appeared around 1990 after growers – seeking early Pinot noir material – were mistakenly sold it as an early German Pinot clone. A later regulatory ruling allowed the French synonym Pinot noir Précoce, enabling proper classification and sales. While it shares Pinot noir’s susceptibility to botrytis and offers few agronomic advantages beyond earliness, warmer seasons have improved its prospects. UK plantings have risen from 19.94 hectares in 2011 to 95 hectares in 2024, and on good sites it can produce attractive still red and rosé wines. However, it is unsuitable for marginal locations where even standard Pinot noir struggles to ripen.
Gamay noir
Colour: Red
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in GB (2024): 7.69-ha
Planted area in France (2020): approx. 25,000-ha
Gamay is a very old French variety, first recorded in the 1300s and long valued for its generous yields, although historically overshadowed by Pinot noir for quality. Best known in Beaujolais – where it is the sole permitted red variety and often vinified by carbonic maceration – it can produce light, fruity wines, but with moderate cropping and careful handling it is capable of more refined styles. Despite periodic bans from premium appellations, it remains an important and distinctive regional grape.
In Britain, Gamay has a surprisingly long history, with early plantings likely in monastic vineyards and documented use at Castle Coch in the late 1800s, where it ripened only in exceptional years. Modern trials began in the 1970s, most notably at Biddenden, but the variety has rarely delivered high-quality results even with today’s warmer conditions. Plantings have increased modestly from 0.63 hectares in 2018 to 7.69 hectares in 2024, though it remains a niche choice. While occasional successes occur – such as a gold-winning rosé in 2025 – Gamay is generally not recommended for British sites, particularly not for prime warm locations.
Huxelrebe
Colour: White
Origin: Alzey, Germany
Crossing: Elbling x Courtillier Musqué
Date of crossing: 1927
Planted area in Germany (2024): 311-ha
Year of registration: 1968
Planted area in GB (2024): 15.62-ha
Huxelrebe, created by Georg Scheu in 1927 and later shown by DNA analysis to be a crossing of Elbling and Courtillier Musqué, was once widely planted in Germany thanks to its extremely high yields and ability to reach high natural sugars. German plantings have fallen from their 1990s peak to 311 hectares in 2024, reflecting its declining appeal. Known simply as “Huxel,” the variety can be vigorous, disease-prone and attractive to wasps, but when fully ripe it can produce aromatic wines with a Sauvignon-like character.
Introduced to Britain via the Wye College experimental vineyard in 1972, Huxelrebe initially expanded due to its cropping potential, reaching 59.1 hectares by 1999. Since then, enthusiasm has waned and plantings have shrunk to around 15.62 hectares, with no new plantings recorded since 2018. Its large bunches, millerandage, and susceptibility to botrytis make it demanding to manage, and unripe fruit can taste overly herbaceous. While it has produced occasional award-winning wines – including Davenport’s “Hux” – its overall decline suggests limited long-term relevance for UK growers.
Meunier
Synonyms: Pinot Meunier, Schwarzriesling, Müllerrebe – and, in Britain only – Wrotham Pinot
Colour: Red
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany: 1,598-ha (2024)
Planted area in GB (2024): 410.78-ha
Meunier is a mutation within the Pinot family and accounts for roughly one-third of total plantings in Champagne, where it plays a vital but often understated role alongside Chardonnay and Pinot noir. Valued for its later budburst, higher natural acidity, and consistently higher yields, Meunier is particularly suited to cooler sites and north-facing slopes where frost risk is elevated. Its distinctive hairy, white-backed leaves and dusty shoot tips are classic identifiers, though like other Pinots it can show reversion to Pinot noir. Despite being excluded from Grand Cru designation, Meunier contributes to some of Champagne’s most prestigious blends.
In Britain, Meunier’s early history was confused by the so-called “Wrotham Pinot,” discovered in Kent in the 1950s and later recognised as Meunier. Although early plantings were limited and often neglected, the variety has undergone a major revival since the mid-2000s. From just 5.5 hectares in 1990, plantings have expanded to over 410 hectares by 2024, making Meunier the third most widely planted variety in the UK. It is now considered indispensable within many traditional-method sparkling wine cuvées.
Once dismissed as merely a blending grape, Meunier is now proving its versatility. Increasingly, it appears in varietal sparkling and still wines in white, rosé, and red forms, with warm-vintage still reds showing particular promise. Yields can be robust, with unusually large bunches reported in outstanding years. If Britain can establish Meunier as a serious still red wine grape, it may yet become a distinctive national signature.
Müller-Thurgau
Colour: White
Origin: Geisenheim, Germany
Crossing: Riesling x Madeleine Royale30
Date of crossing: 1882
Year of registration: 1923
Planted area in Germany (2024): 10,511-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 37.43-ha
Müller-Thurgau (MT), created in 1882 by Swiss breeder Hermann Müller while at Geisenheim, remained a mystery-parentage crossing until DNA analysis in 2001 finally confirmed it as Riesling × Madeleine Royale. Once prized for its early ripening, soft acidity and generous yields, MT expanded rapidly across Europe in the mid-20th century, becoming Germany’s most planted variety by 1999 with over 20,000 hectares. Since then, changing tastes and warmer climates have seen German plantings fall to 10,511 hectares, though it remains popular in Luxembourg, Alto Adige and other cooler European regions.
Introduced to Britain in the late 1940s, MT became a cornerstone of early UK vineyards thanks to its perceived suitability for a cool, misty climate and its ability to crop reliably. It dominated plantings through the 1970s and 1980s, reaching 149 hectares in 1984, and was widely promoted by influential early growers. However, its extreme vigour, shading issues, susceptibility to botrytis and irregular cropping made it demanding to manage. As British viticulture shifted toward higher-quality varieties, MT declined steadily to 37.43 hectares in 2024. While capable of pleasant, fruity wines when fully ripe, it is now regarded as a variety with little long-term relevance for the UK.
Ortega
Colour: White
Origin: Würzburg
Crossing: Müller-Thurgau x Siegerrebe
Date of crossing: 1948
Planted area in Germany (2024): 324-ha
Year of registration: 1971
Planted area in GB (2024): 45.17-ha
Ortega, a 1948 crossing by Dr Hans Breider of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe, was registered in 1971 and named after the philosopher José Ortega y Gasset. In Germany, where plantings have fallen from 951 hectares in 2001 to 324 hectares in 2024, it ripens early, reaches high natural sugars, and has low acidity, making it a useful blending component for higher-acid varieties such as Riesling. Its rich, spicy flavour profile and ability to achieve high ripeness allow it to perform well on warm sites.
Introduced to Britain in 1971, Ortega has gained steady, if modest, popularity, increasing to 45.17 hectares by 2024. It ripens early with high sugars and good flavour but is vulnerable to frost, coulure and late-season botrytis, requiring careful canopy and disease management. When fully ripe, it produces aromatic, zesty wines and can even work well in barrel-aged or skin-contact styles, with notable successes from producers such as Biddenden, Chapel Down and Westwell. Though likely to remain a minor variety, it offers reliable quality and may become increasingly valuable as vineyards expand into cooler northern regions.
Pinot blanc
Synonym: Weißerburgunder, Pinot Bianco
Colour: White
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany (2024): 6,362-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 53.85-ha
Pinot blanc, a long-established member of the Pinot family, is widely grown across Europe and valued for its reliability, generous yields and Chardonnay-like wine style. It is increasingly popular in Germany, which now has over 6,000 hectares, and performs strongly in Alsace, Alto Adige and other cool-to-temperate regions. Generally easier to ripen than Chardonnay, it produces approachable wines and offers versatility for both still and sparkling production.
In Britain, Pinot blanc was first planted in 1979 but only began to expand from 2005 as warmer seasons revealed its potential. UK plantings have risen steadily to 53.85 hectares in 2024, and although it requires good sites and careful canopy management to avoid botrytis, it is no more demanding than Chardonnay. Initially used mainly for sparkling base wines, it is now making successful varietal still wines, with producers like Chapel Down demonstrating its quality. With its strong pedigree and growing track record, Pinot blanc is likely to continue gaining ground in UK vineyards.
Pinot gris (Ruländer)
Synonym: Grauburgunder, Ruländer, Pinot Grigio,
Colour: White
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany (2024): 8,404-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 79.94-ha
Pinot gris, a widely distributed member of the Pinot family, shows remarkable stylistic versatility and has become increasingly important across Europe. German plantings exceed 8,400 hectares, producing both dry Grauburgunder and richer Ruländer styles, while Alsace remains its most prestigious home for high-quality dry, off-dry and late-harvest wines. Italy grows vast areas for crisp, neutral styles, and many New World regions have also adopted it. With numerous clones available, the variety adapts readily to different climates and market demands.
In Britain, Pinot gris has expanded rapidly from 6 hectares in 2007 to nearly 80 hectares in 2024, making it one of the country’s fastest-growing varieties. It needs warm sites, careful canopy management and controlled yields to achieve full ripeness, and some vineyards report uneven flowering and multi-pass harvests. As plantings increase, more high-quality UK Pinot gris wines are emerging, supported by warmer recent vintages. While unlikely to become a major sparkling component, it shows promise as a useful still-wine variety that should continue to strengthen its position in British vineyards.
Pinot noir
Synonym: Blauer Spätburgunder, Spätburgunder, Pinot Nero
Colour: Red
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany (2024): 11,437-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 1,369.77-ha
Pinot noir is one of the world’s most ancient and genetically diverse varieties, thriving across an extraordinary climatic range from cool Germany and Norway to warm regions such as California, Chile, and South Africa. In Britain, it was among the earliest grapes planted, though early pioneers largely deemed it too late-ripening and unreliable for still red wine. Early enthusiasm, shaped by Champagne’s influence, proved premature, and for decades truly successful examples were rare. Advances in clonal material, disease control, grower expertise, and longer growing seasons have since transformed Pinot noir’s prospects in the UK.
Plantings have risen sharply from just 11 hectares in 1984 to around 1,370 hectares today, now representing nearly 30% of Britain’s vineyard area. This growth has been driven by sparkling wine demand, improved ripening consistency, manageable acidity, and the powerful market recognition of the Pinot noir name. The “Nyetimber effect” demonstrated the viability of classic varieties, accelerating adoption across serious producers. Pinot noir now underpins both high-quality traditional-method sparkling wines and an increasing number of credible, premium-priced red wines.
Viticulturally, Pinot noir buds early and requires careful site selection, disciplined botrytis control, and well-timed canopy management. Yields of around 10 t/ha are achievable for sparkling wine, while still red production demands much lower cropping. Although too many British Pinot noirs remain thin and acidic, leading producers now routinely achieve medal-winning wines. With further clonal refinement and site matching, Pinot noir’s role in Britain is set to strengthen.
Reichensteiner
Colour: White
Origin: Geisenheim, Germany
Crossing: Müller-Thurgau x (Madeleine Angevine x Calabreser-Froelich)
Date of crossing: 1939
Planted area in Germany (2024): 30-ha
Year of registration: 1978
Planted area in GB (2024): 64.53-ha
Reichensteiner, created at Geisenheim in 1939 by crossing Müller-Thurgau with a Madeleine Angevine × Calabreser-Froelich seedling, is an early-ripening variety capable of high yields, good sugars and relatively low acidity. Once valued in Germany as a practical alternative to “wet-sugaring,” it has since declined to just 30 hectares in 2024, though it remains useful in cooler regions such as Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. Its neutral character makes it a flexible blending partner, and it has also been used in several crossings, including Garanoir and Ehrenbreitsteiner.
Introduced to Britain in 1971, Reichensteiner quickly demonstrated its reliability, producing consistent crops with an open canopy and better ventilation than Müller-Thurgau. While not especially aromatic as a varietal, it offers body, sugar and soft acidity that can support blends, sparkling bases or sweet styles if picked late. UK plantings have fallen from 113.9 hectares in 1990 to 64.53 hectares in 2024 but now appear to be stabilising or slowly rising. Thanks to its dependable yields and suitability for cooler sites, Reichensteiner remains a valuable option for vineyards in more challenging regions.
Sauvignon blanc
Colour: White
Origin: Original variety
Planted area in Germany (2024): 2,054-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): 56.17-ha
Sauvignon blanc is one of the world’s most versatile and recognisable white varieties, capable of outstanding wines in styles ranging from Marlborough’s zesty, high-acid expressions to the lean, mineral examples of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, as well as richer, oak-influenced Fumé Blanc and its long-established role in Sauternes. Global plantings continue to expand, with Germany now exceeding 2,000 hectares and many European regions adopting it. Numerous clones exist worldwide, offering a wide span of flavour profiles and performance.
In Britain, Sauvignon blanc has grown from marginal plantings in the 1990s to 56.17 hectares in 2024, largely driven by new vineyards in Essex, Kent and East Sussex. However, it remains challenging to grow: fruit-set can be erratic, ripening unreliable and only the warmest seasons tend to yield fully expressive wines. Occasional successes – such as Woodchester Valley’s award-winning 2018 – show its potential on top sites, but the variety still demands careful clone and site selection. While commercially appealing thanks to its name recognition, its long-term role in the UK is likely to remain limited and niche, perhaps supported by blending.
Schönburger
Colour: White
Origin: Geisenheim
Crossing: Pinot noir x Piròvano 1
Date of crossing: 1939
Planted area in Germany (2024): 13-ha
Year of registration: 1980
Planted area in GB (2024): 19.92-ha
Schönburger, created at Geisenheim in 1939 by crossing Pinot noir with Piròvano 1 (Chasselas rosa × Muscat Hamburg), was originally intended as a German table grape but found limited success at home, with only around 13 hectares remaining in 2022. However, it has been more widely grown in cooler regions such as Canada, New Zealand and Britain. The variety ripens early, produces small but flavour-packed berries, and reliably achieves high sugars and low acidity, giving wines with fragrant muscat tones and gentle Gewürztraminer-like character.
In Britain, Schönburger gained popularity from the late 1970s, earning major awards and reaching 75.3 hectares by 1990 thanks to its dependable cropping, disease tolerance and ability to produce consistently high-quality fruit. Although current plantings have fallen to under 20 hectares – partly due to its unfashionable name and perception as a lightweight aromatic style – well-made examples remain charming, especially with a touch of residual sugar. As interest in still wines increases and growers seek reliable early-ripening options, Schönburger may yet see a modest revival and remains a variety worth watching.
Siegerrebe
Colour: White
Origin: Alzey, Germany
Crossing: Freely pollinated seedling of Madeleine Angevine
Date of crossing: 1929
Planted area in Germany (2024): 55-ha
Year of registration: 1958
Planted area in GB (2024): 18.34-ha
Siegerrebe, bred by Georg Scheu in 1929 at Alzey, is a Madeleine Angevine × Gewürztraminer (or Savagnin Rose) crossing capable of reaching very high natural sugar levels and producing intensely muscat-scented grapes. In Germany, where plantings have declined to 55 hectares in 2024, it is often used for dessert wines or to add aromatic lift to blends, though its low acidity and powerful perfume can make varietal wines overwhelming if not handled carefully.
In Britain, Siegerrebe has been grown since 1957 and was initially praised for its exceptionally early ripening, strong aroma and suitability for both table use and winemaking. Despite producing distinctive wines – and notable award winners at estates like Three Choirs – its very early harvest window, wasp and bird pressure, and polarising flavour profile have limited broader adoption. UK plantings peaked at 19.65 hectares in 2015 and have since slipped to 18.34 hectares in 2024. While unlikely to become a major variety, Siegerrebe can be a valuable minor component for aromatic blends or direct-sale wines.
PIWI and Hybrid varieties
Whilst most of the world’s wine producing vines are members of the Vitis vinifera family (European vines) there are varieties that we call hybrids because they are crosses of both vinifera and non-vinifera varieties. These hybrids were first produced in the latter half of the 19th century firstly to defeat the ravages of the two vine mildews, Powdery (Oidium) and Downy (Peronospora). Hybrids were then developed to try and combat the effects of Phylloxera on vinifera vines, then growing on their own roots, but this proved more challenging and led to the development of rootstock varieties upon which vines were grafted.
The older wine-producing hybrids were generally the result of multiple crosses which took time to perfect, typically 30-40 years, and their wine quality was often variable although the best of them still remain in service. By the middle of the 20th century though, a better understanding of plant genetics, followed by the development of DNA profiling, led to the production of varieties that combined the genetics of proven disease resistance with the genetics of vinifera wine qualities. These varieties have taken the acronym PIWI which stands for Pilzwiderstandsfähig, meaning ‘fungus resistant’ in German. This is now used as a shorthand to describe new crosses of vines, mostly made since 1945, having both vinifera and non-vinifera parentage.
These new PIWI varieties are often the results of European vine breeders, especially those in Germany, Switzerland and Austria who were looking to produce varieties which can be grown with minimal chemical treatments and truly sustainable yields of acceptable wine quality.
Blütenmuskateller
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Potapenko All-Russia Research Institute, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Crossing: Severnyi x (Mixed muscat pollen)
Date of crossing: 1947
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in Austria: 124-ha
Planted area in GB (2024): None
Blütenmuskateller is a 1947 crossing developed at the Potapenko All-Russia Research Institute near Rostov-on-Don, the same breeding centre behind several Amurensis-derived varieties such as Rondo. Despite its age, it remains highly relevant due to its strong natural resistance to Downy Mildew. However, it still requires targeted sulphur sprays for Powdery Mildew control, and good leaf removal is recommended to maintain canopy health and fruit quality.
With around 124 hectares planted, Blütenmuskateller is Austria’s second most widely grown PIWI variety, though it is absent from Germany. It ripens after Pinot Noir and before Chardonnay, producing muscat-driven wines with balanced acidity. Sugar levels tend toward the lower end, making it especially suited for blending with more neutral varieties.
Caberet Noir
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Cabernet Sauvignon x Unknown resistance partners
Date of crossing: 1991
Planted area in Belgium (2023): 8.16-ha
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): 14.75-ha
Information on this variety is limited, but Volker Freytag, who now oversees protection and propagation of many Blattner PIWIs, describes it as early ripening with short, slightly loose clusters, small thick-skinned berries and good natural botrytis protection. Growth is upright and medium in strength, with short internodes that concentrate the fruiting zone and simplify defoliation. It is, however, prone to spotted wing drosophila damage.
Aromatically, the wine shows a subtle Cabernet character with dark cherry, juniper and violet, alongside clove and pepper spice and rounded tannins. It is scarcely planted in Europe but is most established in GB, where leading producers are achieving premium prices. Plant cautiously and only on good sites.
Cabernet Blanc
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Cabernet Sauvignon x Regent
Date of crossing: 1991
Planted area in Germany (2024): 322-ha
Year of registration: 2008
Planted area in GB (2024): 1.10-ha
Cabernet Blanc is Germany’s third most widely planted PIWI, with additional plantings in Austria, Belgium and small-scale plantings in Great Britain. It shows good winter frost hardiness, upright growth and naturally open bunch zone architecture, aiding airflow and disease pressure reduction. It has moderate resistance to Powdery Mildew, weaker resistance to Downy Mildew, and strong Botrytis resistance, but still benefits from a basic protective spray programme.
Its main viticultural risk is susceptibility to coulure and millerandage, leading to variable and sometimes reduced yields, similar to Huxelrebe. Wasps can also be problematic near harvest. Ripening is late, around Chardonnay, but wine quality is excellent in a Sauvignon Blanc style, making it well suited to stronger, warmer sites.
Cabernet Cortis
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Freiburg
Crossing: Cabernet Sauvignon x Solaris
Date of crossing: 1982
Planted area in Germany (2024): 68-ha
Year of registration: 2004
Planted area in GB (2024): 6.57-ha
Cabernet Cortis, bred by Dr Norbert Becker in Freiburg, is an early-ripening PIWI red variety grown modestly in Germany, widely in Belgium, and on 50 hectares in France, with 37 vineyard parcels in Great Britain. It grows upright with few side shoots, ripens about a week before Pinot Noir, and shows good though not absolute resistance to mildews and botrytis. Like many red varieties, it can suffer SWD damage.
The variety produces wines reminiscent of Cabernet Sauvignon and has achieved high scores in PIWI competitions. It requires warmer sites in Great Britain and must reach full ripeness to avoid green, unripe flavours in the wine.
Cabertin
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Cabernet Sauvignon x Regent
Date of crossing: 1991
Planted area in Germany (2023): 24-ha
Year of registration: 2008
Planted area in GB (2024): None
Cabertin is a Blattner-bred cross that departs from his usual resistance partners by using Regent as the father, bringing Villard and Seibel genetics into the mix. It ripens 10–14 days earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, which is still relatively late for Great Britain, and its upright, open growth habit combines with very good resistance to powdery mildew and botrytis, and good resistance to downy mildew. Its thick skins help with colour and rot control, though a basic spray programme is still needed.
Among Cabernet-style PIWIs, Cabertin is regarded as the best for wine quality, producing wines with clear Cabernet Sauvignon character. To achieve this quality consistently, it must be planted on excellent sites and is unsuitable for cooler parts of the country, where full ripening would be unreliable.
Cal 1-28
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Said to be a Muscat crossing
Date of crossing: 1991
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Planted area in Switzerland (2023): 10.66-ha
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): None
Cal 1-28 (also known as VB Cal 1-28) is a Valentin Blattner crossing that is gaining traction in Switzerland, where several producers are achieving commercial and competition success. The wines made from it are consistently deeply coloured, structured reds, typically aged for 12–24 months in barrique, indicating high tannin potential and a need for excellent ripening conditions.
It shows good to very good resistance to mildews and botrytis, with small to medium berries and loose bunches. However, its tannic structure makes it unsuitable for cool regions and best treated as a cautious trial planting. At present, it remains very much an experimental variety.
Calardis blanc
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Geilweilerhof
Crossing: Calardis Musqué x Seyve-Villard 39-639
Date of crossing:1993
Planted area in Germany (2023): 90-ha (Est)
Year of registration: 2018
Planted area in GB (2024): 0.67-ha
Calardis blanc is a recent crossing combining Calardis Musqué and a Seyve-Villard hybrid to improve disease resistance. It carries multiple genes against downy and powdery mildew and black rot, and its loose bunches help limit botrytis, though it still benefits from a basic spray. The vine is upright with an open leaf-wall, produces good yields, and ripens in Great Britain after Bacchus but before Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
Wines show quality with moderate acidity, high sugars, and a Riesling-like character, suitable for both still and sparkling. Released in 2020, it is expected to become more widely planted.
Calardis Musqué
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Geilweilerhof
Crossing: Bacchus x Seyval blanc
Date of crossing: 1964
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: 2023
Planted area in GB (2024): 0.20-ha
Calardis Musqué is a Bacchus × Seyval Blanc cross that, on paper, appears well suited to Great Britain, though – as with all crossings – it does not inherit every strength of its parents. It has medium resistance to both mildews, while its naturally loose bunch structure offers useful protection against botrytis. Reported yields are modest by German standards, suggesting manageable but not excessive cropping in UK conditions.
Its early ripening and loose bunches are particularly valuable in cooler, marginal climates. Sugar accumulation is higher than Müller-Thurgau, with similar acidity. While Germany promotes its potential for sweeter styles, in GB it is better suited to dry or off-dry wines and as a blending partner.
Calardis Soleil
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Geilweilerhof
Crossing: Gf 2000-305-0137 x Solaris
Date of crossing: 2010
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: 2024
Planted area in GB (2024): None
Calardis Soleil is the newest PIWI release from Geilweilerhof and incorporates the very latest advances in vine breeding. With Regent, Solaris and Seyval Blanc in its parentage, it combines Amurensis hardiness with muscat lineage. It carries five resistance genes against Powdery and Downy Mildew as well as Black Rot, making it the most disease-resistant modern PIWI currently available. Reports also suggest strong resistance to sunburn.
Bunches are loose with mostly small berries, supporting good to very good yields. It is early ripening and, in GB, should mature just after Solaris, around Bacchus timing. Wine quality is excellent, producing full-bodied, lightly fruity styles with ripe acidity and major spray reductions possible.
Divico
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Agroscope Research Centre, Pully, Switzerland
Crossing: Gamaret x Bronner
Date of crossing: 1991
Planted area in Switzerland (2023): 94.93-ha
Year of registration: 2008
Planted area in GB (2024): 14.03-ha
Divico is a Swiss-bred PIWI variety from Agroscope in Pully, created by crossing Gamaret (Gamay × Reichensteiner) with Bronner (Merzling × Gm 6494). With V. amurensis ancestry through the Gm line, it was developed for disease resistance and colour depth. Switzerland has embraced it enthusiastically, planting around 95 hectares and making it their most widely grown PIWI red.
Its arrival in Great Britain was driven largely by early enthusiasm from the vineyard lead at East Malling Research Station, who promoted Divico as a potential “game-changer” capable of producing high-quality red wine despite the British climate. Expectations were raised further by claims that it might even supersede Pinot Noir as the UK’s benchmark red. However, this optimism faltered when his successor removed most of the plantings after finding the variety too difficult to ripen reliably.
Despite this setback, UK interest grew, and plantings rose from 4.50 hectares in 2022 to 14.03 hectares in 2024 across 34 sites. Yet the wines have not yet stood out, and the variety’s late ripening makes performance highly vintage-dependent. Divico may still prove itself in warmer years, but for now it should be planted cautiously and only on the very best sites.
Donauriesling
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Klosterneuburg, Austria
Crossing: Riesling x Freiburg 589-54
Date of crossing: 1978
Planted area in Austria (2023): 81-ha
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): None
Donauriesling is a complex Austrian hybrid from Klosterneuburg, created by crossing Riesling with Freiburg 589-54, itself derived from Seyve-Villard and Pinot Gris × Gutedel ancestry. It is Austria’s fourth most planted PIWI. The vine grows semi-erect to erect, with small berries and loose clusters, and offers moderate disease resistance, so a basic spray programme is still required. It ripens late, around the same time as Chardonnay, and needs a good site because acidity can remain high.
Wine quality is excellent and among PIWIs it comes closest to true Riesling character. It performs especially well for sparkling wines, though still wines are possible in warmer locations and ripe years.
Fleurtai
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: University of Udine and Institute of Applied Genetics (IGA)
Crossing: Tocai Friulano x Kozma 20-3
Date of crossing: 2002
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): 0.30-ha
Fleurtai is a relatively new PIWI from Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo (VCR), derived from the Hungarian crossing Kozma 20-3, itself a Bianca-based muscat hybrid with additional Amurensis parentage. It carries two resistance genes against Powdery Mildew and one against Downy, giving it overall excellent disease resistance, alongside good winter hardiness. Early ripening and naturally low acidity, driven by its Amurensis genetics, suit it well to GB conditions.
Growth is described as semi-upright to drooping, so careful canopy management and timely leaf removal are essential. Berry skins are thin, increasing botrytis risk in wet seasons. Despite this, Fleurtai is strongly recommended on the basis of its very good wine quality.
Johanniter
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Freiburg
Crossing: Riesling x (Seyve-Villard 12-481 x (Ruländer x Gutedel))
Date of crossing: 1968
Planted area in Germany (2024): 141-ha
Year of registration: 1997
Planted area in GB (2024): 1.48-ha
Johanniter is an older PIWI, widely grown across northern Europe and the most planted PIWI in Belgium, though only found in eight vineyard parcels in Great Britain. With Riesling as one parent and a mix of Seyve-Villard, Pinot Gris, and Gutedel in the other, it carries some disease resistance but less than newer crossings. It has two genes against powdery mildew and one against downy mildew, so a minimal spray programme is still required. Early budburst makes it unsuitable for frost-prone sites, and its compact clusters and late ripening demand warm, high-quality locations where acidity can be managed.
Its inclusion as a recommended variety is based purely on wine quality, demonstrated by consistently strong PIWI competition results. Johanniter can produce excellent wines, though growers must be selective with site choice to avoid underripeness and excessive acidity. Those considering planting it should taste examples from Great Britain and other cool regions to judge its style and potential.
Muscaris
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Freiburg
Crossing: Solaris x Gelbe Muskateller (Yellow Muscat)
Date of crossing: 1987
Planted area in Germany (2023): 166-ha
Planted area in Austria (2023-24): 97-ha
Year of registration: 2012
Planted area in GB (2024): 5.67-ha
Planted area in Belgium (2023): 23-ha
Muscaris is a complex Freiburg crossing from Dr Norbert Becker, combining muscat and Amurensis heritage for early ripening and lower acidity, plus Seyval blanc for added disease resistance. It has good but not top-tier mildew resistance, so a basic spray programme is needed. The vine can suffer magnesium deficiency and may grow in a bushy, untidy form, making shoot selection and canopy management important. Early budburst means frost-prone sites should be avoided, while ripening occurs around Müller-Thurgau, often with high natural sugars and loose to very loose bunches.
Its wine quality is excellent, reflected in very high PIWI competition scores, and it can suit sparkling wine in higher-acid seasons. Muscaris is planted in 34 vineyard parcels across Great Britain, notably absent from the south-east. Growers considering it should explore wines from GB and other cool regions to judge its aromatic, high-quality style.
Orion
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Geilweilerhof
Crossing: Optima x Seyve-Villard 12-375 (Villard blanc)
Date of crossing: 1964
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: 1994
Planted area in GB (2024): 13.96-ha
Orion is a Geilweilerhof crossing created in 1964 by Professor Dr Alleweldt and registered in 1994. Its parentage is is Optima, which is ((Silvaner × Riesling) × Müller-Thurgau), crossed with Seyve-Villard 12-375 (Villard Blanc). It is less disease resistant than older hybrids such as Seyval Blanc and usually requires spraying for Powdery Mildew, though it shows good Botrytis resistance, reliable wood ripening and fruitful basal buds.
Introduced to Britain in the late 1990s, Orion reached nearly 14 hectares by 2024 across 59 vineyard parcels. Single-varietal wines are rare, but styles are typically described as fruity and aromatic. Plantings are stable rather than expanding, with particular interest in more northerly sites.
Phoenix
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Geilweilerhof
Crossing: Bacchus x Villard blanc (Seyve-Villard 12-375)
Date of crossing: 1964
Planted area in Germany (2024): 39-ha
Year of registration: 1992
Planted area in GB (2024): 28.95-ha
Phoenix, bred by Dr. Alleweldt at Geilweilerhof from a Bacchus × Seyve-Villard 12-375 cross, is related to Sirius and Staufer and offers moderate disease resistance with good wood ripening. Introduced to Britain in the late 1980s, it has grown slowly, reaching 29 ha by 2024, with most plantings in western, midlands and northern regions – largely influenced by Three Choirs’ long-term success with the variety.
Producing higher sugars and lower acidity than Müller-Thurgau, Phoenix delivers a lighter, less intense Bacchus-like profile and is the best PIWI option for that style. It requires a decent site and minimal spraying to maintain yields. Growers can explore wines from the UK and other cool climates to assess its character and suitability.
Pinotin
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Cabernet Sauvignon x Regent
Date of crossing: 1991
Planted area in Germany (2024): 48-ha
Planted area in Belgium (2023): 7.23-ha
Year of registration: 2007
Pinotin was long assumed to be a Pinot Noir cross, but DNA analysis revealed it to be a Cabernet Sauvignon × Regent variety. Cabernet Sauvignon provides much of its wine character, while Regent contributes Seibel and Seyve ancestry that strengthens disease resistance. The vine shows very good protection against mildews and botrytis, with moderately vigorous, upright growth and a late budburst that suits frost-prone sites. It ripens early for a Cabernet-type crossing, with acids considered low to medium in Great Britain.
The variety has earned moderate adoption across Europe, helped by strong wine quality, and ranked 10th among 146 PIWI varieties in competition scoring. In Great Britain it is planted on eight sites, including in Hampshire and Essex, where interest is growing. Like most robust red PIWIs, Pinotin needs excellent sites to reach full potential and will not deliver top results every vintage.
Prior
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Freiburg
Crossing: Freiburg 4-61 x Freiburg 236-75 R
Date of crossing: 1987
Planted area in Germany (2024): 25-ha
Year of registration: 2004
Planted area in GB (2024): None
This Freiburg cross pairs Pinot Noir with a Geisenheim Amurensis hybrid, giving it strong wine quality alongside excellent resistance to mildew and botrytis. Its vigorous, upright growth keeps the canopy open and contributes to healthy crops. The skins are robust but can break down quickly as ripeness approaches, so careful monitoring of harvest timing is essential. Like many red varieties in cooler seasons, it may be vulnerable to SWD.
Ripening later than Pinot Noir, it requires a warm, reliable site in Great Britain to achieve its best results. When grown well, the combination of disease resistance and quality potential makes it a variety worth trying.
Ravel Blanc (Sauvignon Soyhières)
Synonym: Sauvignon Soyhières, VB-32-07 (or VB-32-7)
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Cabernet Sauvignon x Vitis Amurensis Ruprecht
Date of crossing: 1990
Planted area in Germany (2024): None
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): 0.05-ha
Ravel Blanc, the breeder’s preferred name, is also known as Sauvignon Soyhières and was bred by Valentin Blattner in 1990. A sibling to Petit Milo, it carries strong Amurensis genetics, giving early ripening, high ripening potential and good resistance to mildews and botrytis. Bunches are loose with small, thick-skinned berries that colour pink to light brown at maturity, sometimes darkening further if left to hang.
The wine shows a light but convincing Sauvignon character that intensifies with higher natural sugars. Highly rated by Volker Freytag and selected as a “Pioneer Wine” under its code name, it is widely regarded as one of the best PIWIs for GB and an excellent Sauvignon-style alternative.
Regent
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Geilweilerhof
Crossing: Diana x Chambourcin
Date of crossing: 1967
Planted area in Germany (2024): 1,525-ha
Year of registration: 1994
Planted area in GB (2024): 32.42-ha
Regent, bred in 1967 at Geilweilerhof by Professor Alleweldt, is a cross of Diana (Silvaner × Müller-Thurgau) and Chambourcin, giving it both vinifera heritage and strong hybrid disease resistance. Its name references Le Régent, the famous 410-carat diamond once set in the crown of Louis XV. Released in Germany in 1994, it became the first of the modern PIWIs and grew rapidly in popularity. Although still widely planted across cool-climate regions, its prominence is now slowly declining as newer, more resistant red PIWIs gain favour.
Germany’s plantings peaked at over 2,100 hectares in 2008 but have since fallen to around 1,565 hectares, though Regent remains the country’s seventh most common red variety and was historically significant as the first interspecific crossing approved for Quality Wine. In Britain, it has been grown since the early 1990s and now covers about 32 hectares. It is less disease-prone than Dornfelder or Rondo, ripens relatively early, yields well, and can deliver deep-coloured wines with soft tannins, good oak affinity and manageable acidity.
Regent’s wine quality is respectable – earning high scores in PIWI competitions – and it performs well both alone and in blends, particularly with Rondo and Dornfelder. However, its slow expansion in Great Britain suggests growers increasingly favour Pinot Noir, Frühburgunder and the newer PIWI reds such as Cabernet Cortis, Cabaret Noir and Divico, which offer even stronger natural resistance. Regent remains a solid but no longer first-choice option, and growers should taste examples from GB and other cool regions to judge its potential.
Réselle (Recelle)
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Bacchus x Seyval blanc
Date of crossing: Not known
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): None
Réselle is another Valentin Blattner cross, combining Bacchus with Seyval Blanc – the same parentage as Calardis Musqué – and is a variety he rates particularly highly. Blattner himself cultivates around one hectare of Réselle in his vineyards at Soyhières, Switzerland. It shows good resistance to both downy and powdery mildews and is capable of producing wines of very high quality, marked by fresh citrus and lime-driven aromatics. Also known as Recele or VB 86-3, it would be well worth trialling under GB conditions.
Riesel
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: Riesling x Unknown resistance partners
Date of crossing: 1989
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: Not known
Planted area in GB (2024): None
This little-known Blattner crossing is based on Riesling, with its resistance partners not yet clearly identified. Bunches are compact and unshouldered, with berries turning deep gold at ripeness, closely resembling Riesling in appearance. Growth is strong and upright, so leaf removal in the fruiting zone is recommended. It is reported to be frost hardy.
The variety ripens early, combining naturally low acidity with the potential for high sugar levels, making it well suited to cooler climates such as GB. A basic spray programme is still required. Wine quality is regarded as high, and despite limited plantings, its pedigree alone justifies experimental trials.
Rinót
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
Crossing: Merzling x (Villard blanc x Pinot gris)
Date of crossing: Not known
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: 2008
Area planted in GB (2024): None
This complex PIWI was bred by Dr Miloš Michlovský at Mendel University in Brno and combines a very diverse parentage. Its background includes Seyval Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris, alongside further French hybrids, and it is also related to Solaris. It shows excellent natural resistance to Powdery Mildew and botrytis, with good resistance to Downy Mildew.
Bunches are loose with medium-sized berries, promoting natural ventilation and healthy fruit. The high disease resistance allows extended hang time, encouraging higher sugars and softer acids. Wines are lightly fruity with balanced acidity and good length. Highly rated by Volker Freytag and selected as a “Pioneer Wine,” it is particularly well suited to GB, especially for sparkling production.
Rondo (GM 6494/5)
Type: PIWI
Colour: Red
Origin: Geisenheim (via Lednice Viticultural College)
Crossing: Zarya Severa (Severnyi) x St Laurent
Date of crossing: 1964
Planted area in Germany (2024): 7-ha
Year of registration: 1997
Planted area in GB (2024): 64.23-ha
Rondo has one of the most intricate histories of any modern grape variety, tracing its origins to Vitis amurensis, a wild species from Manchuria adapted to extremely cold winters and early ripening. Its development spans Russia, Czechoslovakia and Germany, beginning with Michurin’s early 20th-century selection of Seyanets Malengra, followed by Potapenko and Zakharova’s creation of Zarya Severa, and finally Professor Kraus’s 1964 cross with St. Laurent. The resulting variety was refined at Geisenheim by Helmut Becker, who labelled it Gm 6494/5 before it was eventually named Rondo.
Trials in Britain from the 1980s onwards showed Rondo to be well matched to cool climates: early ripening, reliably productive and deeply coloured. As a result, plantings grew from just 2 ha in 1990 to over 64 ha by 2024, making it the second most planted red variety in the UK after Pinot-based grapes used mainly for sparkling wine. It is also widely grown in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.
However, while vigorous and capable of producing strikingly dark wines, Rondo’s wine quality is modest, with flavours often seen as unusual and acidity sometimes challenging. Competing varieties such as Pinot noir Précoce and Regent now offer superior potential. Rondo remains useful for difficult sites and dependable cropping, but most leading vineyards do not view it as a long-term premium option. Growers should taste examples from the UK and other cool regions to judge its style for themselves.
Sauvignac
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Blattner, Valentin
Crossing: (Sauvignon blanc x Riesling) x Unknown resistance partners
Date of crossing: 1991
Year of registration: 2018
Planted area in Belgium (2023): 13-ha
Area planted in GB (2024): 6.04-ha
Sauvignac, a later Blattner “Cal” crossing (Cal 6-04), is among the more widely planted of his varieties and shows stronger disease resistance than earlier lines, offering good protection against both mildews and botrytis. The grapes are small with thick skins and loose clusters, resembling Riesling in structure, and the variety is included among Volker Freytag’s “Pioneer Wines.” Wine quality is high, showing clear vinifera character.
In Great Britain it already shows promising adoption, with plantings spread across 14 vineyard parcels, led by Essex and followed by sites in the west and south-west. With its combination of resilience and quality, Sauvignac is certainly a variety to watch.
Sauvignon Rytos
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: University of Udine and Institute of Applied Genetics (IGA)
Crossing: Sauvignon blanc x Bianca
Date of crossing: 2002
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: 2014
Area planted in GB (2024): None
Sauvignon Rytos is a modern PIWI from Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo (VCR), bred from Sauvignon Blanc and the Hungarian hybrid Bianca, which itself includes Villard Blanc in its lineage. Sauvignon Blanc contributes the aromatic style and wine quality, while Bianca provides good to high resistance to both mildews. However, its naturally tight cluster structure increases botrytis risk, so strategic spraying around flowering and before bunch closure is advised.
The variety ripens around the same time as Pinot Noir, with moderate natural acidity and the potential for high sugar accumulation. Wine quality is rated good to very good, delivering a clear Sauvignon-derived expression, making it a credible option for quality-focused growers in suitable GB sites.
Seyval Blanc
Type: Hybrid
Colour: White
Origin: Seyve-Villard Nursery, St Vallier, France
Crossing: Seibel 5656 x Seibel 4986
Date of crossing: 1921
Planted area in GB (2024): 122.71
Year of registration: Not known
Seyval blanc, originally bred in 1921 by Bertille Seyve at the Seyve-Villard nursery, is a hybrid with a long and sometimes misunderstood history. Its parentage – correctly Seibel 5656 × Seibel 4986 – was clarified by ampelographer Pierre Galet. Although once thought to be declining in France, plantings have risen to over 2,500 hectares, with smaller but significant areas in Canada, the US northeast, Switzerland and Great Britain. In Britain, it has grown steadily from 88 hectares in 2015 to about 123 hectares today, valued for reliability, yield and disease tolerance. It ranks as the country’s fifth most planted variety, though Solaris may soon overtake it.
The variety arrived in Britain in the late 1940s through pioneers Edward Hyams and Ray Brock and quickly proved well suited to the climate. Seyval is moderately vigorous, sets crops reliably, and ripens between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Yields can be very high, and although sugars were historically low, climate change has improved ripeness. Its open habit, small leaves and modest disease pressure make it versatile, though botrytis risk rises late in the season. It blends well, takes oak and lees ageing, and is particularly valued for sparkling wine.
Despite lingering prejudice against hybrids, Seyval has a strong record of high-quality wines, including multiple major awards. Its usefulness in marginal sites, suitability for organic farming and strong sparkling-wine performance have helped revive interest. With careful clonal selection and canopy management, Seyval blanc remains a dependable, adaptable and often underrated variety that continues to earn its place in Great Britain’s vineyards.
Solaris
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Freiburg
Crossing: Merzling x Gm 6493
Date of crossing: 1975
Planted area in Germany (2024): 230-ha
Year of registration: 2001
Area planted in GB (2024): 117.07-ha
Solaris is a Freiburg interspecific crossing bred by Dr Norbert Becker in 1975, originally known as Fr. 240-75 and released in 2001. Its parents – Merzling and Gm 6493 – combine vinifera traits with Vitis amurensis influence. Merzling brings Seyval blanc and Riesling–Pinot Gris ancestry, while Gm 6493 derives from Zarya Severa × Muscat Ottonel, linking Solaris distantly to Rondo. Plantings have grown steadily: Germany increased from 194 hectares in 2012 to 230 hectares by 2024, and the variety is now established in Switzerland, northern Italy and cooler northern European countries, where it is especially dominant in Denmark.
Solaris is vigorous, with large leaves, loose bunches and excellent resistance to botrytis, downy mildew, powdery mildew and black rot. It ripens very early with extremely high sugars – often exceeding 100°Öchsle – and relatively low acidity. Wasps can be an issue due to early ripening. In Great Britain, Solaris expanded from 16 hectares in 2013 to over 117 hectares in 2024, making it the country’s most rapidly growing PIWI and soon likely to surpass Seyval blanc. It is widespread nationally across 215 vineyard parcels, including significant areas in East Anglia, the West, the Midlands and Wales.
Wine quality is strong, with Solaris earning high results in WineGB competitions and topping PIWI International Wine Competition scores from 2022 to 2024. Its reliability, disease resistance and very early ripening make it a key variety for marginal climates and regions looking to reduce spray use. With vineyards advancing northwards, Solaris is poised to play an increasingly important role in future cool-climate plantings.
Soreli
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: University of Udine and Institute of Applied Genetics (IGA)
Crossing: Tocai Friulano x Kozma 20-3
Date of crossing: 2002
Planted area in Germany (2023): None
Year of registration: 2010
Planted area in GB (2024): 0.30-ha
Soreli is a relatively new white PIWI variety from Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, derived from the Hungarian crossing Kozma 20-3, itself based on Bianca and another muscat–Amurensis hybrid. It carries strong resistance traits, with two genes against powdery mildew and one against downy mildew, along with good winter hardiness. Its Amurensis heritage also contributes to early ripening and naturally low acidity, both valuable for Great Britain’s climate.
The vine grows semi-upright to drooping, so it requires careful canopy management and timely leaf removal. Soreli is included among the recommended varieties thanks to consistently very good wine quality. A sibling of Fleurtai, it performs well for both still and sparkling wines.
Souvignier Gris
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: Freiburg
Crossing: Seyval blanc x Zähringer
Date of crossing: 1983
Planted area in Germany (2024): 566-ha
Year of registration: 2012
Planted area in GB (2024): 4.61
Souvignier gris is a Seyval blanc × Zähringer cross, the latter being a Gewürztraminer × Riesling hybrid. Its strong disease resistance comes from Seyval, while its wine quality reflects its high-class vinifera heritage. Earlier believed to be a Cabernet Sauvignon × Bronner cross, DNA analysis corrected this. The variety shows excellent resistance to downy mildew, good resistance to powdery mildew and botrytis, and forms loose clusters with berries that turn dark pink as they ripen. A minimal spray programme is still advised.
It is one of the most successful PIWIs, widely planted across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France and other cool European regions. Its popularity is driven by reliability, strong yields in challenging climates and better-than-average wine quality, often compared to a Chardonnay–Muscat blend. Scoring third in recent PIWI competitions, Souvignier gris appears promising for specialist growers in Great Britain, combining resilience with attractive flavour and style.
Voltis
Type: PIWI
Colour: White
Origin: INRA Bordeaux
Crossing: Villaris x VRH 3159-2-12
Date of crossing: 2002
Planted area in France (2023): 5.75-ha
Year of registration: 2018
Planted area in GB (2024): 1.02-ha
This complex PIWI was bred by Dr Miloš Michlovský at Mendel University in Brno and combines very diverse parentage. Its background includes Seyval Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris, alongside further French hybrids, and it is also related to Solaris. It shows excellent natural resistance to Powdery Mildew and botrytis, with good resistance to Downy Mildew.
Bunches are loose with medium-sized berries, promoting natural ventilation and healthy fruit. The high disease resistance allows extended hang time, encouraging higher sugars and softer acids. Wines are lightly fruity with balanced acidity and good length. Highly rated by Volker Freytag and selected as a “Pioneer Wine,” it is particularly well suited to GB, especially for sparkling production.
This variety’s disease resistance, loose bunch structure and balanced sparkling profile make it especially well aligned with GB conditions, particularly for quality traditional-method styles. If you’d like, I can also standardise all these summaries to the same word count and tone for publication.